The Indianapolis journal., 1887-10-08
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.


Effect of Mr.. Powderiy's Address-The Re
ports of the General Officers.
MINNEAPoLIs. Oct I'll. P. McGaughey sec
retary of the cooperative BOARD of the knights
of Labor. said this morning that the result of
the vote in the case Of James r. Buchanan. the
rejected delegate from District Assembly 80. of
Denver, as given by the latter was false and
that the vote was unanimous against Buchanan
The effect of Powderlvs address yesterday has
been generally good, and it is thought he will
gain friends by the sentiments expressed al
though they were somewhat antiquated His
expressions with regard to his alleged connection
with socialism and anarchy were very well re-
-ceived, and have won much comment in his
favor
1t is learned that the report that big fight
would be made in the convention over the new
constitution is not wholly without foundation.
In fact, the talk lie quite general among the del
egates to the effect that such fight is quite
likely to come up in the convention, and that
the constitution will be bitterly opposed by the
''antis." What strength they will be able to
develop, it the m after is brought up and reaches
vote, is not known. prominent Eastern
Knight expresses the opinion that the dissatis-
faction over this matter is very much stronger
The 'tantis' would have to poll two-thirds
vote to win The principal point of opposition
among the ''antis' seems to be that they do not
like the idea of the general officers holding Office
for q term of two years. They also made the
claim that at least TWO of the present general
offcers-Secretary Litchman and Treasurer
Turner-are wholly incom petent Whether
they have any facts in regardto the two general
officers named in of THAR Sc
not known. The administration delegates, when
asked in regard to the matter, state emphatically
that the charges Of incompetency made against
Turner and Litchman are entirely without
foundation in fact. They say that two better
men for the positions named could not be found
in the organization. It is quite evident that the
two factions in the convention fear each other.
The fact that lengthy secret cancuses are held
nightly goes a long way toward sustaining this
belief.
General Secretary Litchnaan presented his re-
port to-day 1t was very voluminous Follow
ing is a short synopsis
The number of members reported in good
standing at the last session of the General AS.
semby as 702, 924, and the number of members
in arrears, 26,753 This made the apparent
m membership of the order then reported, 729.-
60. The tremendous growth in the early part
of 1886 will be remembered. People came into
the order by the hundred thousands, so that a
suspension of limitations for forty days Ias or
dered. After this forty days had expired, the
rush again commenced, and tho result was to
bring to the organization mass of material
that proved itself to be wea kness rather than
q strength. For the six months following the
session of the General Assembly at Richmond.
the papers OF the country were filled continu-
ally with assaults upon the order upon the gem
eral officers, and everything possible was
done TO disintsgrate and destroy the order Yet,
n spite of all this opposition, the total number
Of members reported IN good standing July is,
n round numbers. ass. 900. Add to this the
nearly 80. 900 who are in the same relation to the
order as were the &C. 753 reported as in arrears
apon T the last report, and we would have the
July i, 1881. This would indicate
IN apparent decrease of about 1866
members. TT receipts for the fiscal year end
ng july nre Shown to be $685. 73l giving with |
balance on hand a grand total of $503, ,647. Con-
',deration of the question of establishing a CO.
operative savings association was recommenced |
also that State Assem- olies be made compulsory |
instead of permissive.
The General Assembly at Richmond. after |
adopting several amendments to the constitu- |
committee on law, together with such other |
changes as had been presented to the General |
assembly, to a special committee of revision.
t was ordered that this committee. In coniuuc-
ion with the general executive board, should |
prepare revision of the constitution and sub
nit the same to o vote of the local Assem- blies of
ne order The result of the deliberations OF
his committee on revision was submitted to the
ocal ascend blies as provided under the vote
lnder which the committee was appointed.
fbe assemblies were requested to vote rnon the
constitution proper as the first proposition, and
lpon the article relating to national trade as
emoiles as the second proposition. The re-
urns @ from the local Assem- blies showed that
1868 local assemblies voted '.Yes" on the first
and 1.096 voted 'Nop; that 8 1863
ocal assem- bles voted "Yes" on the SECOND |
and 962 No" Secretary Litchman,
n concluding said that his office had been any
hing but bed of rosee, and that enemies
mong the order had persecuted him. The GEN.
raj secretary makes a number of recommends
ions, which may be summarized as follows:
That the subject of establishing a co-oreratiye
avings association be considered By the COM
1ittee on the state of the order. and if it is
eemed advisable, the proper authority be given
o secure an act OF incorporation for the oreani-
alton and management of such an institution.
he primary object OF this will be TO establish
ONE for the order In every town or city where
ne order exists. Nothing will give such perma-
ence to an organization as the fulfill
lent of this plan. Branches may be
ally the power of the order can be
rought to bear on the various divisions of CO.
perative production. distribution consumption
nd saving. He recommends that the general Sec
stary have entire control of his Office force;
lat State assemblies be made compulsory in
ead OF permissiye: that the proper committee
'nsder the demand for some sort of regala for
e embers of the order and badges to be worn at
inerals; that there be legislation which will
AXE more stringent the prohibition of the use
the name of the order any of its symbols
" business purposes. On this point the seere-
Try says: II think the General Assembly would
3 justified in passing a law placing effectuai
oycott on every article upon which the initials |
the order or any of its symbols were used
ithout the sarction of the general executive
osrd."
There are number of minor recommenda-
ons, covering proposed changes in the orders
ork, which are of no interest TO the general |
iolic. This is worthy of note: "A great deal |
complaint has been made to the general office
relation to embezzlement of funds by local
hcers who subsequently absconded. and thus
nnot be notified of pending charges I recon-
end that it be stated in the constitution that |
'tice of trial sent to the last known address of
% absconding officer shall be considered legal
mmons. and that il the absconder fails to ap-
'ar at the time of trial. either in person or by